Electronic cash dispenser

ABSTRACT

This invention refers to an electronic cash dispenser ( 10 ) by means of which a user possessing a bank card ( 43  or  44 ) may withdraw cash after keying in a personal identification number and the amount to be withdrawn on a keyboard ( 31 ). The electronic cash dispenser ( 10 ) comprises a portable console ( 30 ) and allows the user both to withdraw cash by means of the banknote ( 14 ) dispensing unit ( 13 ) and also to credit the cash on a bank card ( 44 ) by means of a bank card ( 44 ) read/write device ( 34 ). The electronic cash dispenser ( 10 ) also allows banknotes ( 14 ) to be withdrawn, deducting the amount dispensed by the dispensing unit ( 13 ) from the amount credited on the user&#39;s bank card ( 44 ).

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention refers to an electronic cash dispenser for dispensingcash, comprising a banknote dispensing unit, and a portable keyboard forentering data and commands and for determining the amount to bedispensed in cash.

BACKGROUND ART

In known banknote dispensing systems, commonly called Automatic TellerMachines (ATM), there is a fixed console having a display device, areader for magnetic or intelligent bank cards, and a keyboard forentering the user's personal identification code.

These systems, in which the keyboard and display are fixed, precludeuser security and confidentiality in the true sense of the word, whetherthe user wants to withdraw banknotes or obtain information on hiscurrent account.

In fact, any curious bystander behind the user can see the transactionscarried out on the keyboard and also the information displayed on thedisplay.

In order to improve security and confidentiality of user transactions,very often the consoles of “ATM” systems are placed in a room to whichlimited access is provided.

This is obviously a very costly solution requiring further control andsecurity devices, such as for example, doors opened by electroniccontrol means or other security systems.

In order to improve confidentiality, has been proposed, as described inEuropean publication EP 661676 A1, an “ATM” system wherein the keyboardand the display are included in a portable console connected to thebanknote dispensing unit by means of an armoured cable.

Such a system, even if it helps on improving confidentiality, does notsolve the problem to improve security. In fact, with the above-citedsystem, the user is obliged to simultaneously control devicesdifferently located. In particular, the user, by having the console inhis hands, is obliged to manage, at the same time, the devices locatedin the fixed console. As a result the user can louse or forget to keepback the card. This last is not a costly solution, but is, in some way,more unsecured than to leave the keyboard an the display on the fixedconsole.

From European Publication EP 484198 A1, it is, also, known a portableconsole designed for making payments, as for example in a store or atrading centre.

Such a portable console comprises a keyboard, a display, a card readerand is remotely connectable through a radio link connection, to atransaction centre or a concentrator for making on line or off-linepayments.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

The technical problem that this invention proposes solving is that ofproducing an electronic cash dispenser system that eliminates thedrawbacks of known dispenser systems and guarantees users a high levelof confidentiality and security.

This technical problem is solved by the electronic cash dispenseraccording to the present invention, which is characterized by a portablereading/writing device for reading and/or writing bank cards and by acontrol unit connected to the banknote dispensing unit, to the portablekeyboard and to the portable reading/writing device, and suitable forcontrolling operation thereof.

According to a further characteristic of this invention, the portabledevice for reading and writing intelligent cards, generally called“smart cards”, is also utilizable for crediting smart cards with a givenamount of money, withdrawing it from the user's current account.

According to another characteristic of this invention, the portablekeyboard may also be used for withdrawing cash directly from the amountcredited on the smart cards.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

These and other characteristics of this invention shall be clear fromthe following description of a preferred embodiment, provided by way ofnon-exhaustive example with the aid of the attached drawings, where:

FIG. 1 is an overall view of the system according to this invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the system of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of one variant of the system of FIG. 1.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

With reference to FIG. 1, the electronic cash dispenser 10 according tothis invention comprises a portable console 30 and a safe 11, havinginside a banknote 14 dispensing unit 13, a power supply 29 and aPersonal Computer (PC) 12. The portable console 30 comprises a keyboard31, a display 32, a badge reader 33 for reading known type magneticcards (badges) 43, a read/write device (smart card r/w) 34 for readingand writing known type smart cards 44, and a printer 35.

The portable console 30 also comprises a logic unit 37 (FIG. 2)connected to the keyboard 31, to the display 32, to the badge reader 33,to the smart card r/w and to the printer 35 for controlling operationthereof.

Finally, the portable console 30 also comprises, connected to the logicunit 37, a first interface 41, for example of the RS-232 type, a secondinterface 42, of the modem type for example, both known in the art,suitable for being connected to external equipment items, and a consolememory 38.

The console memory 38 comprises a first memory (console FLASH EPROM) 38a, for storing standard programs developed in the design stage of theelectronic cash dispenser 10, and a second memory (console RAM) 38 b.The console RAM 38 b is intended for storing in a first area 38 b 1predefined data such as, for example, messages to be displayed on thedisplay 32 and, in a second area 38 b 2, variable data coming from thekeyboard 31, from the badge reader 33, from the smart card r/w 34 orfrom external equipment items connected to the console 30.

The console 30, of known type, may consist of the “LYRA” model terminalproduced by the Olivetti S.p.A. company.

The dispensing unit 13 (FIG. 1) for banknotes 14 is connected to the PC12 by means of a known type serial cable 51, and is suitable fordispensing banknotes 14 in function of commands received through theserial cable 51.

The known type dispensing unit 13 may, for example, consist of the SD300model produced by the DE LA RUE company.

The power supply 29 is designed to draw off electrical power from anexternal source, not shown, and distribute it to the dispensing unit 13,to the PC 12 and to the portable terminal 30 through electricalconnections 17, 18 and 19.

The power supply 29 is also suitable for supplying sufficient electricalpower to complete any transaction in progress on the electronicdispenser 10, should the power supplied by the external source beinterrupted or suspended.

The known type power supply 29 may, for example, consist of theECO500/SIAB model produced by the META company.

The PC 12 (FIG. 1 and FIG. 2) comprises a known type central processingunit (CPU) 20, a standard type data channel (BUS) 24, AT for example,and a random access memory (RAM) 22. The PC 12 also comprises a massmemory 26, comprising for example a known type hard disk unit, anelectronic network board (LAN adapter) 27 and a first and second RS-232serial port 48 and 49, again of known type.

The CPU 20, the mass memory 26, the LAN adapter 27 and the first andsecond serial port 48 and 49 are connected in a known way to the BUS 24for transferring and exchanging data and commands among the unitsconnected thereto.

The mass memory 26 is suitable for storing in a first area 26 a programsdeveloped in the electronic cash dispenser 10 design stage and, in asecond area 26 b, data regarding transactions carried out by theelectronic dispenser 10, as will be described later in greater detail.

The RAM 22 is connected in a known way to the CPU 20 and is suitable forstoring data coming from the portable console 30, as will be describedlater in detail.

The PC 12, of known type, may consist for example of the electroniccircuit board of the M4-464 model produced by the Olivetti S.p.A.company.

The first serial port 48 of the PC 12 is connected by means of aconnection cable 21 to the first interface 41 of the portable console 30and is suitable for exchanging data and commands with the portableconsole 30; the second serial port 49 is connected by the serial cable51 to the dispensing unit 13. The electric cable 19 and the cable 21connecting the safe 11 (FIG. 1) and the portable console 30 have, inthis embodiment, been brought together in a single flexible cable 50, ofknown type and designed to resist intrusion attempts by wrongdoers. TheLAN adapter 27 (FIG. 2) is suitable for exchanging data in a known way,through network links 52, with a reference system 55.

The reference system 55 is suitable for enabling in a known waytransactions on the electronic dispenser 10, as will be described laterin greater detail.

Operation of the electronic cash dispenser 10 (FIG. 1 and FIG. 2) is asfollows.

A user wanting to withdraw cash presses a key on the portable console 30corresponding to the “withdraw cash from current account” function andinserts his badge 43 in the badge reader 33 or his smart card 44 in thesmart card r/w 34.

The badge reader 33 or the smart card r/w 34 reads the informationcontained respectively in the badge 43 or in the smart card 44 andtransmits it to the logic unit 37, which in turn passes the informationin question, through the first interface 41, the connection cable 21 andthe first serial port 48, to the CPU 20 for storage of the informationin the RAM 22. The CPU 20, on the basis of the programs stored in themass memory 26 a, commands the logic unit 37 to extract from a firstarea of the console RAM 38 b 1 and display on the display 32 a messagerequesting the personal identification number (PIN) to be keyed in onthe keyboard 31.

Following entry of the identification code, the logic unit 37 encryptsthe identification code on the basis of a program stored in the consoleFLASH EPROM 38 a corresponding to an equivalent decryption programstored in the mass memory 26 a, and sends it to the CPU 20.

The encryption and decryption program can be specific for each portableconsole 30, so that only a particular portable console may be connectedto a particular PC 12.

The CPU 20 decrypts the identification code, associates it with the datastored in the RAM 22 and sends them, through the network link 52, to thereference system 55 using the methods customary of cash withdrawalsystems.

The reference system 55 checks in a known way that cash is available onthe user's current account and, if all the checks are passedsatisfactorily, sends the PC 12 a code enabling the same PC 12 todispense cash. Accordingly, on being enabled, the PC 12 commands thecontrol unit 37 to display on the display 32 a message requesting theuser to key in the amount of cash desired.

If the user has used the badge 43, the amount keyed in on the keyboard31 is transmitted by the logic unit 37 to the CPU 20 which immediatelycommands the dispensing unit 13 to dispense the amount in banknotes 14.

If the user has used the smart card 44, the CPU 20, after the amount hasbeen keyed in, commands another message to be displayed on the display32 requesting if the amount is to be dispensed in banknotes 14, or isinstead to be credited on the smart card 44.

In the former case, operation is as described earlier. In the secondcase, the CPU 20 commands, through the logic unit 37, the smart card r/w34 to record on the smart/card 44 the amount keyed in by the user.

On completion of one of these transactions, the CPU 20 transmits to thelogic unit 37 data such as amount withdrawn, date and time of thetransaction so that they can be printed on the printer 35 as a receiptof the transaction carried out and stores the data in the mass memory 26b, together with the data stored previously in the RAM 22.

It is obvious that the procedure described above may be varied in such away that the user employs the badge 43 for entering the identificationcode and then uses the smart card 44 to withdraw the cash, havingcredited it on the smart card 44. But the electronic cash dispenser 10can also permit withdrawal of banknotes 14 directly from the cash amountcredited on the smart cards 44.

In fact, a user wishing to deposit or withdraw cash credited on hissmart card 44, presses a key on the keyboard 31 corresponding to the“electronic purse” function and inserts in the console 30 the smart card44 on which a cash credit and personal data have been recorded. Thesmart card r/w 34 reads the data, both personal and the credit, storedon the smart card 44 and sends them, in the same way as alreadydescribed, to the RAM 22 for storage therein.

After the user's PIN has been keyed in and the usual checks have beenpassed satisfactorily, the CPU 20 extracts from the RAM 22 the dataregarding the credit and sends them to the logic unit 37 to have themdisplayed on the display 32. The CPU 20 also commands the logic unit 37to display on the display 32 a predefined message stored in a first areaof the console RAM 38 b 1, asking if the user intends to deposit orwithdraw cash against the credit amount appearing on the smart card 44.

Where the user, by selectively pressing one of the keys of the keyboard31, opts to deposit the cash credited on the smart card 44, the CPU 20sends the data concerning the user and the credit to the referencesystem 55 for them to be credited on the user's account; furthermore theCPU 20 commands, through the logic unit 37, the smart card r/w 34 tocancel the amount credited on the smart card 44.

Where the user, by selectively pressing a different key of the keyboard31, opts to directly withdraw the cash credited on the smart card 44,the CPU 20 commands the logic unit 37 to display on the display 32 apredefined message asking the user what amount he wishes to withdrawfrom the smart card 44.

After this amount has been keyed in, the CPU 20 commands the dispensingunit 13 to dispense the amount in banknotes 14, deducts the amountwithdrawn from the credit data previously stored in the RAM 22 andcommands, through the logic unit 37, the smart card r/w to record on thesmart card 44 the new credit duly calculated.

On completion of one of these transactions, the CPU 20 sends the logicunit 37 data such as amount withdrawn, date and time of the transactionso that they can be printed on the printer 35 as a receipt of thetransaction carried out and stores the data in the second area 26 b ofthe mass memory 26, together with the user data stored previously in theRAM 22.

The portable console 30 may also be used for maintenance functions, suchas upgrading of the programs stored in the first area 26 a of the HDU26.

This function is activated, in the same way as already described, bypressing a predefined key on the keyboard 31 and using a badge 43 or asmart card 44.

Used in this way, the PC 12 will use a maintenance program stored in thefirst area 26 a of the mass memory 26, suitable for allowing updatingand control functions to be performed in a known way.

According to a second embodiment, an electronic cash dispenser 101 (FIG.3) (hereinafter designated “reduced system”) can also be produced insuch a way that inside the safe 11 there is only the dispensing unit 13and the power supply 29.

In the reduced system 101, the first interface 41 of the portableconsole 30 is connected directly by the connection cable 21, to thedispensing unit 13 and the second interface 42 of the portable console30 is connected through a telephone line 53 to a remote system 60suitable for performing some of the functions of the PC 12 (FIG. 2) andthose of the reference system 55, as will be described later in detail.

In this second configuration, the portable console 30 (FIG. 3) issuitable for directly commanding activation of the dispensing unit 13upon receipt of the enablement to dispense cash coming from the remotesystem 60.

According to a further variant, not shown in the figures, the portableconsole 30 may be connected, in the first configuration, to the PC 12(FIG. 2) through an infrared ray connection, and in the secondconfiguration to the remote system 60 (FIG. 3), through a radio link.

These further variants, though requiring a number of changes to theportable console 30 and to the PC 12, belong to the state of the art anddo not depart from the scope of the invention. Operation of the reducedsystem 101 (FIG. 3) is as follows. A user wishing to withdraw cashpresses the key of the portable console 30 corresponding to the “ATM”function and inserts his badge 43 in the badge reader 33 or his smartcard 44 in the smart card r/w 34.

The badge reader 33 or the smart card r/w reads the informationcontained respectively in the badge 43 or in the smart card 44 and sendsit to the logic unit 37 which stores the information in question in thesecond area of the console RAM 38 b 2 on the basis of a program storedin the console FLASH EPROM 38 a.

Subsequently, the logic unit 37 extracts from the first area of theconsole RAM 38 b 1 and displays on the display 32 a message asking forthe personal identification number (PIN) to be keyed in on the keyboard31.

Following entry of the identification code, the logic unit 37 encryptsthe identification code on the basis of an algorithm stored in theconsole FLASH EPROM 38 a corresponding to an equivalent decryptionalgorithm stored in the remote system 60, stores it in the second areaof the console RAM 38 b 2, associated with the information storedpreviously, and sends it to the remote system 60 through the telephoneline 53.

The remote system 60 decrypts and checks the data, checks that cash isavailable on the user's current account and, if all the checks arepassed satisfactorily, sends the control unit 37 a command to display onthe display 32 a message asking the user to key in the cash amount hewishes to receive.

If the user has used the badge 43 (FIG. 1 and FIG. 3), the amount keyedin on the keyboard 31 is read and sent by the logic unit 37 to thedispensing unit 13, through the connection cable 21, so that, in thesame way as already described, the dispensing unit 13 dispenses theamount in banknotes 14.

If the user has used the smart card 44, the control unit 37, after theamount has been keyed in, commands another message to be displayed onthe display 32 requesting if the amount is to be dispensed in banknotes14 or is instead to be credited on the smart card 44.

In the former case, operation is as described earlier. In the secondcase, the control unit 37 commands the smart card r/w 34 to record onthe smart/card 44 the amount keyed in by the user. On completion of oneof these transactions, the logic unit 37 commands the printer 35 toprint a receipt of the transaction carried out and sends the remotesystem 60 the data regarding the amount withdrawn, together with thedata stored previously in the second area of the console RAM 38 b 2regarding the information contained in the badge 43 or in the smart card44. In the same way as described before, the reduced system 101 alsoallows cash to be withdrawn using the cash availability stored on thesmart card 44.

In fact, a user wishing to deposit or withdraw cash credited on hissmart card 44, presses a key on the keyboard 31 corresponding to the“electronic purse” function and inserts in the console 30 the smart card44 on which a cash credit and personal data have been recorded. Thesmart card r/w 34 reads the data, both personal and the credit, storedon the smart card 44 and sends them, in the same way as alreadydescribed, to the logic unit 37 for storage in the second area of theconsole RAM 38 b 2.

Once the checks described previously for the reduced system 101 havebeen completed, the logic unit 37 extracts from the second area of theconsole RAM 38 b 2 the data regarding the credit and sends them to thedisplay 32 for display thereupon.

The logic unit 37 also displays on the display 32 a predefined messagestored in the first area of the console RAM 38 b 1, asking if the userintends to deposit or withdraw cash against the credit amount appearingon the smart card 44.

Where the user, by selectively pressing one of the keys of the keyboard31, opts to deposit on his current account the cash credited on thesmart card 44, the logic unit 37 sends the data regarding the user andthe credit to the remote system 60, for it to be credited on the user'saccount, and zeroes the amount credited on the smart card 44.

Where the user, by selectively pressing a different key of the keyboard31, opts to directly withdraw the cash credited on the smart card 44,the logic unit 37 displays on the display 32, in the same way as before,a message asking the user what amount he wishes to withdraw from thesmart card 44.

After the amount has been keyed in, the logic unit 37 commands, again inthe same way as already described for the reduced system 101, thedispensing unit 13 to dispense the amount in banknotes 14, deducts theamount withdrawn from the credit data previously stored in the secondarea of the console RAM 38 b 2 and commands the smart card r/w 34 torecord on the smart card 44 the new credit duly calculated.

An completion of one of these transactions, the logic unit 37 commandsthe printer 35 to print a receipt of the transaction carried out andsends the remote system 60 the data concerning the transaction and thepersonal data stored previously in the second area of the console RAM 38b 2.

The methods of operation described for both the electronic cashdispenser 10 (FIG. 2) and for the reduced system 101 (FIG. 3) may beintegrated with further functions without modifying the architecturedescribed or accordingly the substance of the invention.

The electronic cash dispenser, in its various configurations, permitsnot only a personal use of the console which, being portable, can beused in an extremely confidential way, but also allows banknotes to bewithdrawn from the user's current account and from a credit stored onthe smart card belonging to the user.

Additionally the electronic dispenser according to this invention allowsthe credit stored on the smart card of a user to be deposited on theuser's current account.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electronic cash dispenser (10) for dispensingcash, in particular banknotes (14), comprising a banknote dispensingunit (13); and a portable keyboard (31) connected to said banknotedispensing unit (13) for entering data and commands, and for determiningthe amount to be dispensed in cash; characterized by a portablereading/writing device (33, 34) for reading and/or writing bank cards(43, 44); and by a control unit (12, 37) connected to said banknotedispensing unit (13), to said portable keyboard (31) and to saidportable reading/writing device (32, 34), and suitable for controllingoperation thereof.
 2. An electronic cash dispenser (10) according toclaim 1 characterized in that said control unit (12, 37) is suitable forselectively commanding said dispensing unit (13) to dispense said amountin banknotes (14) and said portable reading/writing device (33, 34) tostore said amount on said bank cards (43, 44).
 3. An electronic cashdispenser (10) according to claim 1 characterized in that said controlunit (12, 37) is suitable for commanding said dispensing unit (13) todispense said amount in banknotes (14) and said portable reading/writingdevice (33, 34) to deduct the corresponding amount from said bank cards(43, 44).
 4. An electronic cash dispenser (10) according to any one ofthe claims 1, 2 or 3 characterized in that said control unit (37) isassociated to said portable keyboard (31) and to said portablereading/writing device (33, 34) in a portable console (30).
 5. Anelectronic cash dispenser (10) according to any one of the claims 1, 2or 3 characterized in that a display device (32) is associated to saidportable keyboard (31) and to said portable reading/writing device (33,34) in a portable console (30).
 6. An electronic cash dispenser (10)according to claim 1, characterized in that said portablereading/writing device (33) is suitable for reading magnetic cards (43).7. An electronic cash dispenser (10) according to any one of the claims1, 2 or 3, characterized in that said portable reading/writing device(34) is suitable for reading/writing smart cards (44).
 8. An electroniccash dispenser (10) according to claim 7, characterized in that afurther reading/writing device (33) for reading and/or writing bankcards (43) is fitted on said portable console (30) and is suitable forreading magnetic cards (43).
 9. An electronic cash dispenser (10) fordispensing cash, in particular banknotes (14), comprising a banknotedispensing unit (13), and a portable console (30) having a keyboard (31)for entering data and commands and determining the amount of cash to bedispensed; characterized in that said portable console (30) furthercomprises a reading/writing device (33, 34) for reading and/or writingbank cards (43, 44); and a control unit (37) connected to said banknotedispensing unit (13), to said keyboard (31) and to said reading/writingdevice (33, 34) for commanding said banknote dispensing unit (13) todispense said amount in banknotes (14).
 10. An electronic cash dispenseraccording to claim 9, characterized in that said portable console (30)further comprises a display device (32).
 11. An electronic cashdispenser according to claim 9 or 10, characterised in that said controlunit (37) is suitable for commanding said reading/writing device (33,34) to deduct the corresponding amount from said bank cards (43, 44).